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bookishbeans's review
2.0
I didn't really love this book. I felt it was a little too fast-paced and jumped from one thing to another in a short amount of pages. Just wasn't for me, I guess.
libreroaming's review
3.0
Feels like a HiLo book. Short chapters and dialogue heavy narration that jumps from one big issue to another with brief overviews of the emotional impact. Sometimes the lack of follow up impedes clarity of the story, or makes characters seem emotionally stunted. On the other end of the spectrum, characters usually have one clearly defined behavior in the story, whether supportive or antagonistic, and the antagonists are all immediately preoccupied with slut shaming a fifteen year old girl.
The subject matter, including some severely messed up foster care placements, make it too mature for younger readers, and the simplicity of the narration would make stronger YA readers want to pick books that delve deeper into similar issues with more nuance and skill. It is quickly paced and punchy, almost like a highlight reel, so would probably work best for those who want issue laden books and accessible narration.
The subject matter, including some severely messed up foster care placements, make it too mature for younger readers, and the simplicity of the narration would make stronger YA readers want to pick books that delve deeper into similar issues with more nuance and skill. It is quickly paced and punchy, almost like a highlight reel, so would probably work best for those who want issue laden books and accessible narration.
jkenna1990's review
4.0
In this book we follow Lucky, who ends up in foster care after her grandfather dies and her grandma ends up in a care home due to dementia. She learns quickly that not all foster homes are created equal after her new foster dad starts being creepy towards her. Will she ever get out of foster home and back to her grandma? You'll have to read this book yourself to find out!
greatolcatsby's review against another edition
3.0
warning for: sexual abuse, racism, homophobia, death, slut-shaming
beeherr's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
violetruby13's review
4.0
*I've been provided a ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.*
Such a cute book, but also shines light on things that even though they are ugly and hard to deal with, they do happen. I love also that they, even though unfortunate for Lucky, they put foster care in the story. I personally haven't came across many books that mention it. I love also that the author truly went into detail about foster care, and that yeah, all your belongings are in a backpack or two and you can change houses every 2 weeks/be at a place for short periods of time.
Such a cute book, but also shines light on things that even though they are ugly and hard to deal with, they do happen. I love also that they, even though unfortunate for Lucky, they put foster care in the story. I personally haven't came across many books that mention it. I love also that the author truly went into detail about foster care, and that yeah, all your belongings are in a backpack or two and you can change houses every 2 weeks/be at a place for short periods of time.
illbefinealone's review
4.0
What this book does best is bring the emotional roller coaster of being in the foster care system to the page with such vividness that it sucks you in. Just Lucky is heartfelt, heartbreaking, but hopeful at the same time and it's all balanced perfectly.
I really enjoyed the characters, I thought they were all well-developed. I liked the diversity, and the friendships depicted in this book were just beautiful. I found the story to be one that felt special as I was reading it, and the plot was paced to my liking.
Just Lucky is the perfect book for readers who are into contemporary.
(ps. trigger warning for sexual abuse and substance abuse)
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*Rating: 4/5 stars
I really enjoyed the characters, I thought they were all well-developed. I liked the diversity, and the friendships depicted in this book were just beautiful. I found the story to be one that felt special as I was reading it, and the plot was paced to my liking.
Just Lucky is the perfect book for readers who are into contemporary.
(ps. trigger warning for sexual abuse and substance abuse)
*Copy received through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
*Rating: 4/5 stars
becca1909's review against another edition
3.0
this was good. wish it was longer and we got to see more of lucky and her life but it was good
ljrinaldi's review
5.0
This is one of those books that breaks your heart, and then makes you feel all warm and fuzzy and happy again.
It looks so innocent, and you get to know Lucky, and love her, and hope for the best, even as you know it won't be all that she wants it to be.
Lucky's mother abandoned her, because, as she puts it, "you can't bring a newborn into a casino for hours at a time, or forget about her entirely and leave her beside a slot machine."
Lucky has been living with her grandparents, and has a best friend who is into the same comic books as she is, and it all seems fine, until Grandpa dies, and Gramma starts forgetting things, like turning off the stove. After she nearly burns down the house, Gramma is taken away, and Lucky goes into foster care.
I love how she deals with this. How she makes friends with the other foster care children via comics. She knows which ones suit the kids at each of the different houses she ends up going ot. It helps her survive.
And the little things such as the doorbell at foster house number 4, which played the them from Doctor Who.
And the heart rendering things, as well.
The book grabbed me by the throat and took me along for the ride. I wouldn't say it is fun, but it is heartwarming, sweet, and clever.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
It looks so innocent, and you get to know Lucky, and love her, and hope for the best, even as you know it won't be all that she wants it to be.
Lucky's mother abandoned her, because, as she puts it, "you can't bring a newborn into a casino for hours at a time, or forget about her entirely and leave her beside a slot machine."
Lucky has been living with her grandparents, and has a best friend who is into the same comic books as she is, and it all seems fine, until Grandpa dies, and Gramma starts forgetting things, like turning off the stove. After she nearly burns down the house, Gramma is taken away, and Lucky goes into foster care.
I love how she deals with this. How she makes friends with the other foster care children via comics. She knows which ones suit the kids at each of the different houses she ends up going ot. It helps her survive.
And the little things such as the doorbell at foster house number 4, which played the them from Doctor Who.
And the heart rendering things, as well.
She didn't tell me everything was going to be okay. She didn't try to do that thing adults do where they try to fix all your problems. Janine just let me cry and held me until I was ready to go home.
The book grabbed me by the throat and took me along for the ride. I wouldn't say it is fun, but it is heartwarming, sweet, and clever.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.